The Workout Breakout Connection

It seems as though every blog and website on the planet is talking about New Year's exercise resolutions right now... While keeping up with healthy habits is very crucial, it's also important to not neglect your skin! It's still early in the year and we're all reevaluating our habits and/or making resolutions, but I also wanted to make sure to catch you at this time to help with preventing the acne breakouts that can result from your new workout schedule.

Adult acne flareups that occur when working out can actually come from several factors, such as: not using the right skincare products for your skin type or skin concerns, wiping sweat away with the wrong materials, or not knowing when to fit in your skincare routine between workout sessions.  To help clear things up :), here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Pore-clogging and/or pore-irritating ingredients in your skincare or makeup can be pushed into your pores and create impactions as you're wiping sweat away -- whether it's with your hand, your sleeve, or a towel. (In my Facial Studio, I see more adult acne cases with clogged pores as the main problem than any other acne issue!)

• Wiping your face with a towel can actually be irritating to skin, potentially causing inflamed breakouts. The solution is to use a soft foam cloth that is absorbent and can be rinsed with cold water and squeezed out before starting your workout. By using a soft skin shammy, you get both cool relief and thorough absorption of sweat, while preventing the pore-irritation that can come from a rougher material. After your workout, simply wash the shammy with antibacterial soap, squeeze out excess water, and you're good to go!

• Dryer sheets and fabric softener leave residue that is pore-clogging, which means if they've been used on the towel or shirt that you're using to wipe your sweaty face, that may explain some of your breakouts. This includes "fragrance free" dryer sheets. Why? Because it's not about the fragrance, but about the film that gets deposited onto clothes and towels to make them not rub together in the dryer (which is what causes static cling). Instead of dryer sheets or liquid fabric softener, use dryer balls or tennis balls instead. Not only will your skin get some relief, but this practice is also environmentally-friendly!

• Sweat can be irritating to pores if left on the skin for too long, leading to inflamed breakouts on your face and back.  Sweat can also leave salt crystals on your skin in certain conditions. You may not feel it, but the salt in your sweat can actually scratch your skin after the water has evaporated away.

Along with these tips, you should also make sure that you do not ever work out with makeup on.

It's very important that you cleanse and tone your face 
both before and directly after working out. 

To make things easier, here is a simple and efficient skincare routine for before your workout session, no matter when that might be:

If you work out in the morning 
Wash your face, spritz on your toner, and apply SPF moisturizer if you're going outside, or a very light coat of nighttime lotion if you're staying at home. For those staying home who are especially oily, simply using cleanser and toner is just fine. After your workout, complete your entire morning skincare routine as usual, including washing and toning. 

If you work out in the afternoon 
Remove any makeup with a makeup removing sponge followed by alcohol-free toner. If your skin is on the drier side, you may apply a thin coat of nighttime lotion.  After your workout, wash, tone, and apply SPF moisturizer if you will be exposed to the sun on the way home, or if you're working out at home, apply a light coat of nighttime lotion; there is no need to apply any more product until your nighttime routine.  

If you work out in the evening 
Remove any makeup with a makeup removing sponge followed by alcohol-free toner. If your skin is on the drier side, you may apply a thin coat of nighttime lotion. After your workout, complete your entire nighttime routine as usual, including washing and toning.

A great thing to remember - there is no rule that a good skincare routine must be performed first thing in the morning or right before bed!  As long as you're getting in your skincare routine twice a day, the exact times are not relevant.

If you'd like to review your skincare products or evaluate your skincare routine to make sure it's accommodating to your new health journey, please email me or check out my Eval by Email® programs for issues with Adult Acne, Rosacea, or Skin Sensitivity.  If you're in your 30s, 40s, and 50s and still suffer from adult acne, these programs have been created specially for you! 

With the full program, you'll receive a totally personalized analysis of your acne situation and skincare regimen, along with a sample packet of products mailed to your home within 5-7 days. 

After you've tried the entire skincare regimen, you may order the full-sized products from my web site and be on the right path to solving your adult acne and aging issues.

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